Father's Daughter

3.03

CHAPTER THREE

The golden hues of the Jovian sunset bathed Scathan's home in a soft, warm glow, casting long shadows over the ancient stone floors and bouncing off the glassy crystal bowls on the table. The dinner spread before them looked as beautiful as it was mysterious: fruits with skins that sparkled like diamonds, bread that seemed to shimmer with embedded stardust, and a stew with colors that shifted every few seconds. Lyra couldn't help but smile as she took it all in. It was another piece of a heritage she barely knew but felt so familiar.

Scathan's eyes glinted with a warm, knowing light as he watched her reaction. "Do you like it? Jovian cuisine is... well, an acquired taste for most visitors."

Lyra looked up, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's beautiful. I think I've been waiting my whole life for something like this."

Scathan's smile deepened, softened by years of love and longing for his daughter. He took a sip from his glass, studying her thoughtfully. "Tell me about your life, Lyra. I want to know everything. Who raised you all these years?"

At the mention of that, Lyra felt her heart warm. She set down her fork, looking at her plate for a moment before answering. "His name is... Tony," she began with a slight laugh, eyes brightening as she looked back up. "Always saving the world, always busy. But he's been there for me. He's my dad."

Scathan leaned forward, intrigued by the affection in her voice. "It sounds as though he's been good to you."

"He really has," Lyra replied earnestly. "There's this... this strength to him, you know? It's like he's always carrying the weight of the world, and sometimes it gets to him, but he doesn't give up. Not on the people he loves. Not on me."

The room seemed to grow quieter as she spoke, her voice filled with a profound sense of gratitude. Scathan's gaze softened as he listened. For him, it was an affirmation of something he'd always hoped for—that his daughter had found someone who could be there for her when he couldn't.

"You were only ten when..." Scathan's voice trailed off, a touch of sorrow woven into his words. "I wish I could have been there for you, Lyra. To watch you grow, to protect you when you needed it."

Lyra reached across the table, resting her hand over his. "You're here now, Dad. And I've always felt like... like I had you with me, in some way."

They stayed that way for a while, sharing a quiet but powerful moment. For Lyra, the years of separation seemed to dissolve, leaving just the warmth of a father who had missed her more than she could ever fully understand.

Eventually, she broke the silence, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "There's... there's someone I should probably tell you about," she said, half-laughing as she tried to find the right words. "Loki. of Asgard"

Scathan's brows shot up, his expression instantly sharpening as he placed his fork down with deliberate care. "Loki? An Asgardian?" His voice was gentle but held a touch of suspicion, a fatherly concern unmistakable in his gaze.

"Dad, it's... not what you're probably thinking." Lyra's laugh was warm, though her cheeks colored slightly. "Loki and I... we're not close, not exactly. But... we've been through some things together." She glanced down, thinking about the moments they'd shared, his sarcasm, his strange kindness that flickered beneath layers of trickery.

Scathan's gaze remained steady, though a bit of a frown creased his features. "And what sort of 'things' would those be?" He crossed his arms, leaning back as if settling into an interrogation.

Lyra bit her lip, a playful glint in her eye as she waved her hand dismissively. "Just... battles for the fate of the universe. A few family squabbles. Some... illusions." She let out a breath, her voice growing more serious as she looked up at him. "He's complicated, Dad. There's a darkness in him, yes, but he's... he's not beyond redemption. And I think, in some strange way, he's beginning to care about his family."

Scathan's eyes narrowed slightly, a protectiveness emerging as he listened. "So you're saying this Loki—this Asgardian—is... a friend?"

Lyra laughed again, shaking her head. "I wouldn't go that far. He's exasperating, annoying... calls me 'darling,' which drives me up the wall. But he's also... he's growing on me. I think there's more to him than he lets on. Maybe we could be friends. Someday."

Scathan's expression softened as he listened to her. He could sense the balance in her words, her hesitancy, and her hope for this complex relationship. But he couldn't hide the lingering concern. "Just... be careful, Lyra," he said, his tone gentle yet firm. "I don't want you getting hurt. The universe is full of tricksters, and not all of them will care for you as I do."

Lyra smiled, warmth filling her gaze as she nodded. "I know, Dad. I promise. Thanks for the advice."

They continued their meal, talking about the years she'd spent with Tony, her studies, and her early memories of her mother. She told him about how she'd graduated from university at sixteen, her passion for books, her hunger for knowledge. It felt surreal to open up, to share pieces of herself she had kept hidden, almost like reconnecting with a part of herself she hadn't known was missing.

After dinner, they walked outside, the stars twinkling above them like beacons in the vastness of space. Lyra looked up, a quiet peace settling over her as she took in the expanse of the universe. There was something magical about being here with her father, in this place that felt like a bridge between the life she had known and the life she had yet to discover.

Scathan smiled, his gaze following hers as they looked up at the sky. "This is your home too, Lyra. And perhaps, it's time for a new chapter in our story."

Lyra turned to him, her eyes reflecting the stars above. "I'd like that," she whispered, feeling a strange, new hope blossom in her heart.